Old Bailey - Extorting money under an infamous threat. William Arnold (a soldier, aged 20) was capitally indicted for assaulting Thomas Allison, on the 3rd of April, and taking from his person by violence and threats a 1/. note.
The prosecutor deposed that he resided in the service of Surteis, esq. in Montague-square. On Sunday, the 2nd inst., he was returning home from Halkin-street, through Hyde-park, about 8 o'clock in the evening, when he was overtaken by the prisoner at Grosvenor-gate, who suddenly turned round and said, "How do you do? I think I know you, Sir; you live, I believe, in Baker-street, or somewhere thereabouts." Witness replied that he was mistaken, for he resided at No. 31, Montague-square. To this the prisoner rejoined, "Oh yes, 31; why you are the very man I want." Witness answered, with surprise, "Want me! what can you want with me?" The prisoner said, it was concerning that letter he had sent him. Witness asked, what letter? and the prisoner said, it was the letter he had sent him, inviting him to come and spend an evening with him. Witness denied all knowledge of such a document; but the prisoner told him it would not do, and said to him, "I'll tell you what, if you don't come down, I'll croup you'' (have him imprisoned). Witness said, "I suppose 'tis money you want," and gave him a shilling. The prisoner exclaimed, "D n your shilling," and kept following him on, using the most shameful threats, until he reached his master's house. Witness then said to him, "There is the house in which I live; I am not ashamed to show it you." The prisoner upon this said, "I'll be satisfied that you do live there, and I'll see you go in too." Witness was just going in, when he said to him, "Now, I'll tell you what it is; if you give me a one-pound note, I'll never accuse you of such a thing again." Witness said, he had not got a note about him: but the prisoner told him to go and borrow it of his fellow-servants; but he told him he could not do this, but would meet him the next day at half-past 12 o'clock. He agreed to this, and went away. Witness was so alarmed and agitated at the moment, as well as when he got into the house, that he was utterly unable to speak.
His reason for fixing half-past 12, as the hour of meeting him on the following day, was, because the family were going to the country an hour sooner, and he thought in the interim he should have time to acquaint the police-officers. The family, however, delayed some time, and while the carriage was at the door he saw the prisoner at a short distance waiting for him. Witness felt excessive fear and agitation; and, in the hope of getting rid of the prisoner for ever, he went to him and said, "Now, if I give you a 1/. note, will you ever come nigh me again?" The prisoner replied, "Certainly never," took the note, and went away.
Witness thought he had lost sight of him for ever; but on the Thursday evening following, a dirty-looking boy came to his master's house with a letter, directed to " John, the footman." Witness told him John was out with the carriage, but desired him to come again in an hour. When that time had expired the prisoner himself came, and said to him rather angrily, "I sent you a letter an hour since, but you would not read it - there, take it now; go in and read it, and then come out to me.''
Witness went in and read the letter, which ran thus:- "Sir, - The money I received from you I have made rather free with, in drinking, and have stayed too long from my regiment. I fear I cannot join it again, but must go into the country, and something therefore must be done." After a short time witness went out to speak to the prisoner, when he was accosted by two other men, habited in soldiers' great coats. He asked what they all meant by coming there, to charge him with so foul a crime? None of them made any particular answer to this; but one of them observed, he (meaning the prisoner) must leave his regiment, and go into the country; he must therefore have other clothes, and four or five pounds to keep him until he got employment. Another said, "Something must be done, for now we've got you (meaning witness), and you must come down." Witness then promised, that, if the prisoner would meet him the next evening, he would have ready for him a suit of clothes, and he should also look up what money he could. He then gave them a shilling to drink, but they d d his shilling, and he gave them three. They then all went away. Witness could not swear positively to the two other men he saw on this occasion, but he saw the name of one of them in the papers of Wednesday. His name was Thomas Dwyer.
Witness next morning informed Pyall and other officers, together with his fellow-servants, of the transaction, and means were taken to secure the prisoner at night.
The latter came at the appointed hour, accompanied, however, by three other persons. The officers were in waiting at a public-house, and, as soon as the prisoner made his appearance, witness desired one of the servants to give the officers the signal, while he himself desired the prisoner to go to the public-house, where he would give him a nice suit of clothes. He did so, and Pyall coming up at the moment, witness charged him with having extorted from him a 1/. note, and he was secured. The other three men fled upon the instant, and escaped.
Pyall and others confirmed the testimony of the prosecutor. After the prisoner was taken in charge, he never denied the accusation made against him, but continually said it was another that had led him into it.
The jury, without hesitation, found the prisoner Guilty - Death.
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